Supplies for Portable Credit Card Reader

The resources you need to replenish your portable credit card reader supplies
By Lisa Maloney A mobile credit card reader is only useful as long as you have the proper supplies on hand to keep it running. Most units require paper, ink and cleaning supplies, at a bare minimum, to keep them running.
 

Before ordering supplies for portable credit card reader units, run through the following checklist and make sure you've got enough supplies on hand to complete each item. If you're running low or are unsure of how long it'll take to replenish your supply stocks, order right away:

1. Keep portable credit card scanners printing with extra paper rolls;

2. Make sure you've got plenty of the proper ink on hand, too;

3. Maintain a stock of cleaning supplies to de-gum your portable magnetic stripe credit card reader.

Get the right paper for your mobile credit card reader and printer units

If your portable credit card processor has a printer component, you're going to need rolls of paper to keep it going. The biggest concern here is making sure you get the right width of paper; the packaging from your last purchase probably gives you the exact dimensions of the paper rolls you typically buy, and most vendors of supplies for portable credit card reader units will subdivide their merchandise by unit and model to make finding the right paper easy for you.
Try: Business Supply offers a wide range of thermal paper rolls for use in portable credit card readers, while POS Supply Solutions offers the conventional range of paper rolls in addition to a line of environmentally friendly recycled papers for your credit card machines.

Re-ink your portable credit card scanner

Again, if your portable credit card processing machine has a printer component, you'll need to refill it with the right ink ribbons or cartridges. Most suppliers have their inventory conveniently subdivided by unit manufacturer and model to make locating the right parts easy.
Try: Shopping with large vendors, like POSPaper.com or 1st National Processing, that carry a wide selection of replacement ribbons and other parts and accessories, will make it easier to locate the right supplies for your portable credit card machines.

Keep your portable credit card processing equipment clean

While you may not need ink and ribbon for every portable credit card swiper--since not all of them include a printer component--you do need some sort of cleaning supplies to help swipe away the grime, oil and other contaminants that will accumulate with repeated use.
Try: Waffletechnology explains in detail why portable magnetic credit card readers and other types of card reading machines need to be cleaned, and how the right supplies can do the job. You can purchase card reader cleaning supplies, along with a wide range of accessories including decals and replacement parts, from USA Merchant Solutions.

• You never know when a delay or error in product shipping will mean you can't receive replacement supplies for your mobile credit card reader right away. Make sure to order well in advance--say, before you open your last two rolls of paper or your last ink ribbon--of running out of supplies. If you're preparing for a busy retail season you might also order even further in advance to avert potential disaster.